Once resources have been defined for the project, the next step is to assign them to specific activities. Each resource assignment approach requires the activity to be selected and the rate and distribution for the activity to be entered.

There are two ways to assign resources. The first method described is best for assigning multiple resources to a single activity. The second method is best for assigning a single resource to multiple activities.

A Single Activity

To assign one or more resources to an activity, double-click on the activity or right-click on the activity and select Properties….

The Activity Object window opens. Click the Assign… button next to Resources.

The Activity Resource Assignment window opens.

Any resources currently assigned to the activity display in the Assigned Resources list.

The first column lists resources assigned to the activity.

The second column lists the resource category.

The third column lists the rate.

The fourth column lists the distribution.

The rate refers to the amount or number of the resource required. The distribution refers to how the resource is used by an activity. Resources may be assigned per time period or duration.

To assign a new resource, click the Choose… button next to Assign New Resources.

The Assign New Resources window will open with a list of all available project resources, excluding those currently assigned to the activity.

Multiple resources may be assigned at once by clicking the check boxes next to the desired resources. When finished, click the Assign button to close the window.

The new resource(s) will appear in the Assigned Resources list.

To finish the assignment process, click on the row of the desired resource to enable the rate and distribution columns.

Enter the amount or number of the resource required in the rate column. In the distribution column, choose from the dropdown button.

When finished, click the Exit icon .

NOTE: If the rate column is left blank, no assignment will take place.

The rate refers to the amount or number of the resource required. The distribution refers to how the resource is used by an activity. Resources may be assigned per time period or duration.

If PolyTime is enabled, the period corresponds with the schedule’s time unit. For example, if the user has set the base time unit for the schedule as hours, then the option will be per hour. Otherwise, the period will always default to days.

NOTE: If any resources have been assigned per period and the schedule time unit is changed, they may not properly convert. For example, 48 widgets per DAY would become 48 widgets per HOUR instead of 2 widgets per HOUR.

Per Period

If a resource is assigned per period, the rate of consumption will remain fixed while the total amount will fluctuate with the activity duration. For example, if activity A has been assigned 10 carpenters per day with a duration of 10 days, then activity A will require 100 carpenter-days. If the duration is reduced to 5days, activity A will still require 10 carpenters per daybut the total amount will be reduced to 50carpenter-days.

Per Duration

If a resource is assigned per duration, the total amount will remain fixed while the rate of consumption will fluctuate with the activity duration. For example, if activity B has been assigned 10carpenters per duration with a duration of 10 days, then activity B will require 1carpenter per Day. If the duration is reduced to 5days, activity B will still require 10 carpenter-days total but the rate of consumption will increase to 2 carpenters per day.